Inter Milan are planning to sign goalkeeper Emil Audero on a permanent basis after his loan expires at the end of this season.
This according to Italian news outlet FCInterNews. The outlet anticipate that the Nerazzurri will continue to rely on the 27-year-old as Yann Sommer’s backup rather than spending big on a new keeper.
Inter have been thinking about their plan in goal for next season.
35-year-old Swiss international Sommer will still be the first-choice keeper. That is virtually certain.
The former Bayern Munich and Borussia Monchengladbach veteran has looked a rock solid option in the role regardless of the fact that he’s now in his mid-thirties.
But there has been some doubt about who Sommer’s deputy would be next season.
Currently, the main backup keeper in Inter’s squad is Audero.
The former Juventus keeper signed for Inter on loan from Sampdoria last summer.
Inter have a purchase option on Audero worth €7 million. But there has been no certainty that Inter would activate that clause.
Reports have suggested that the Nerazzurri could take a different route.
Inter could invest in a younger keeper who would spend a season or two as Sommer’s backup. Then, that player could eventually become the first-choice keeper as Sommer fades out of the starting eleven.
Athletico Paranaense’s Bento has been the big name linked in this respect. Meanwhile, reports have also linked Inter with a move to bring back Michele Di Gregorio from Monza.
Inter Milan Plan To Keep Emil Audero – No Big Investments In A Goalkeeper
According to FCIN, however, Inter are not planning to spend big on a goalkeeper this summer.
The Nerazzurri’s financial situation means that the club have to choose wisely in how they allocate the transfer budget. And a backup keeper is not necessarily the priority.
Therefore, Bento and Di Gregorio would be off the table.
In the case of the former, the Brazilian is likely to cost at least €20-25 million.
Inter had initially been hoping to sign Bento for a fee of around €15 million. But the 24-year-old is now a full Brazilian international, and is attracted transfer interest from the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Di Gregorio would cost no less than €20 million.
Inter have no intention of outlaying a fee of that size on a goalkeeper this summer.
Therefore, the Nerazzurri’s plan is instead to keep Audero in the squad.
The 27-year-old’s performances have satisfied Inter so far this season.
Audero has made just four appearances across all competitions. But he has looked more than up to the task of deputizing for Sommer.
Moreover, Audero is by all accounts a positive, well-liked presence behind the scenes, in training and the dressing room.
Inter do not intend to outlay the full €7 million to activate the purchase option.
But the Nerazzurri are confident that they can work out a deal with Sampdoria. This could involve a player going the other way – striker Sebastiano Esposito is currently on loan at the Blucerchiati from Inter, for example.
